Nectarine tree named ‘Majestic Pearl’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica,  broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late July, with first picking on Jul. 23, 2006. The fruit is uniformly large in size, sub-acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, very firm in texture, white in flesh color, and mostly red in skin color.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘MAJESTIC PEARL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘MAJESTIC PEARL’.

During the spring of 1998 I gathered fruit from an unpatented nectarinetree in my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in MercedCounty (San Joaquin Valley) that had been designated as “5P452”. Thisparticular nectarine tree was itself a first generation cross using‘Spring Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) yellow flesh nectarine asthe selected seed parent and an unnamed white flesh nectarine(unpatented) as the selected pollen parent. The seeds from this fruitwere removed, cracked, stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings ontheir own root in my greenhouse as a group labeled “5P452 (OP)”. Uponreaching dormancy that fall I transplanted these seedlings to acultivated area in the experimental orchard described above. During thefruit evaluation season of 2001 I selected the present variety as asingle tree from the group of “5P452 (OP)” seedlings described above.Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarine tree, Iasexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimentalorchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its seed grandparent, ‘Spring Bright’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine by producing nectarines that arefirm, globose in shape, and almost full red in skin color, but is quitedistinct by producing fruit that is white instead of yellow in fleshcolor, sub-acidic instead of acidic in flavor, and by maturing aboutthirty days later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Bright Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 9,359) nectarine by producing nectarines that are nearly globose inshape, firm in texture, white in flesh color, and mostly red in skincolor, but is distinguished therefrom by being more productive, byrequiring a lower amount of chilling, by having reniform instead ofglobose leaf glands, and by producing fruit that is larger in size.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present variety is characterized by a large size,vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. Thefruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late July,with first picking on Jul. 23, 2006. The fruit is uniformly large insize, sub-acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone intype, very firm in texture, white in flesh color, and mostly red in skincolor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruitdivided transversely to the suture plane to reveal the flesh and stone,two insets to reveal buds and blossoms in various stages, variousleaves, and a typical tip shoot.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Jul. 27, 2006, on the original tree during itseighth growing season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

Parentage

-   Parentage: An open pollinated seedling of ‘5P452’ (Unpatented)    Nectarine.

Tree

-   Size: Large, reaching and maintaining a height of 11′ [3.35 m.] and    a spread of 11′ [3.35 m.] after eight growing seasons utilizing    typical dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading and dense.-   Form: Vase formed.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.-   Approximate chilling requirement: 575 hours.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 5¾″ [146 mm.]            after the eighth growing season.        -   Texture.—Shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Brownish gray [64. brGy] and Deep brown [56.            deep Br] variegation with Light orange yellow [70. l.OY]            crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color:            Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY]. Typical Size: ⅛″ [3.2            mm.] to 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped to elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of limb is 3¼″ [83 mm.] measured 12″ above            the crotch, 2¼″ [57 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing            roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gyR]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Older Wood: Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: More than 50 on second            year wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Typical            size: 1/64″ [0.4 mm.] to ⅛″ [3.2 mm.] on second year wood.            Shape: Elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average Length: 5 13/16″ [148 mm.]. Average            width: 1⅞″ [48 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute, with an average base angle of 65 to 75 degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Deep yellow green [118. deep YG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average            Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green            [116. brill.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip.            Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green            [11.6. brill.YG] turning Strong reddish brown [40. s.rBr]            with maturity.        -   Glands.—Number: 2 to 5 per leaf. Position: Alternately            positioned on both the petiole and the base of blade. Size:            Medium to large. Form: Reniform. Color: Strong yellow green            [117. s.YG] on younger leaves turning Moderate reddish brown            [43. m.rBr] in the center with maturity.        -   Leaf buds.—Medium in size, pointed.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically 11/16″ [17.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically thirty or more stamens, five sepal and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Type.—Showy, very large.        -   Average flower diameter.—2 1/16″ [52.4 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Usually five, a few with extra petal            fragments and a few double blossoms.        -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.        -   Petal Margin.—Somewhat wavy.        -   Average petal diameter.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.        -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex light.            purplish pink [249. l.pPk] toward the base.        -   Anther color.—Dark red [16. d.R] over a Light yellow [86.            l.Y] center at bloom onset.        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].        -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR].        -   Sepal length.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].        -   Sepal width.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Average pistil length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Medium, approximately with ‘Spring Bright’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 23, 2006.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 8, 2006.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jul. 27, 2006.-   Date of first picking: Jul. 23, 2006.-   Date of last picking: Aug. 3, 2006.-   Size: Uniform, large.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—3¼″ [82.6 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—3⅛″ [79.4 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—3⅛″ [79.4 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—8.1 ounces [230 grams].-   Form: Uniform, symmetrical, globose to slightly oblong.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round to oval.        -   Axial view form.—Round.-   Suture: A sharp groove in the stem cavity, a shallow trough along    the side, and a sharp groove toward the apex ending in a slight    depression just beyond the pistil point.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped throughout on both sides.-   Lips: Mostly equal.-   Cavity: Flaring, circular to slightly elongated in the suture plane,    suture showing on one side, Pale greenish yellow [104. p.gY] stem    markings typical.    -   -   Depth.—9/16 [14.3 mm.].        -   Breadth.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].-   Base: Rounded to truncate.-   Apex: Rounded, somewhat cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Pistil point: Apical, short, 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] typical length,    depressed within the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Non-astringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Very deep red [14. v.deep R] over a Moderate red [15.            m.R] background, a small amount of Pale greenish yellow            [104. p.gY] area where sun protected, and moderate Light            orange yellow [70. l.OY] freckling toward the apex.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Greenish white [153. gWhite] with Very red [11. v.R]            streaking next to the stone.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Strong red [12. s.R] fibers breaking            when twisted from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Scarce.        -   Juice.—Moderate.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp, melting.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine.        -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier toward the apex.        -   Flavor.—Sub-acid and sweet, typically 18 brix.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Oval.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex: Acuminate, with an average tip length of 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] and    an average tip angle of 45 degrees.-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Irregularly furrowed near the apex and along the vertical    edge, pitted from base to above center.-   Ridges: Jagged.-   External color of stone: Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr] when    freshly removed.-   Pit wall color when cracked: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr].-   Cavity surface color: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY].-   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].-   Average width: 1 1/16″ [27 mm.].-   Average length: 1⅝″ [41.3 mm.].-   Average breadth: ¾″ [19.1 mm.].-   Tendency to split: Slight.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Deep orange yellow [69. deep OY].        -   Pellicle color.—Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr].        -   Vein color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Abundant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Bright Pearl’ [U.S.Plant Pat. No. 9,359] nectarine by producing nectarines that are nearlyglobose in shape, firm in texture, white in flesh color, and mostly redin skin color, but is distinguished therefrom by being more productive,by requiring a lower amount of chilling, by having the reniform insteadof globose leaf glands, and by producing fruit that is larger in size.